Mr Kalman, who lives in Dornach, Switzerland, where he runs a property company, said that he paid €3.85 million for the car on February 6 last year and took delivery of it six months later. However, he claimed that the car could not be used because Pagani UK in Park Royal, northwest London, had not given him the British registration documents.

A writ issued at the High Court in London says: “Without the original registration documents from the UK, Mr Kalman is unable to get the car registered in Switzerland.” He is entitled to his money back, according to his lawyers, and he is demanding interest.

Christine Clarkin, the principal dealer at Pagani UK, said: “Nothing is ever black or white but we did supply Mr Kalman a Pagani Zonda, which he accepted delivery of and he had the car shipped overseas. Unfortunately I cannot comment further.”